Marker Lamps and Lenses

Tools 'n' Tips Article by David Rapasi on Mar 30 2012

 

I use MicroScale Micro Kristal Kleer to make marker lamps and lenses.

Photo #1
The area where the marker lamp is positioned is removed by filing or cutting. A small hole is drilled at a 45 degree angle in the opening. Pins are made from stretched sprue and painted the color of the lamps.

Photo #2
The color pin is glued into the hole.

Photo #3
A drop of Kristal Kleer is applied to the area of the lamp, making sure all of the surfaces of the opening are contacted with the glue. This procedure may take three or four applications. The Kristal Kleer shrinks quite a bit when it dries.

Click on images below to see larger images

Photo #4
The finished marker lamp will take a few days of drying for it to become crystal clear. A light wash of flat black water based paint is applied to tone down the sheen and brightness.

Photo #5
Colored lenses can be made by adding a small amount of food coloring to the Kristal Kleer before applying it to a hole.

I hope this article helps.

Dave

      

Photos and text © by David Rapasi